Creating an estate plan can feel stressful, overwhelming, and complicated. As a Brandon Will lawyer, I often find that people procrastinate simply because they don’t know where to start.
In these cases, it can be helpful to ask yourself (or your loved ones) some simple questions to get your thoughts rolling about your wishes and the type of care or final arrangements that you do (or do not) want. And, answering these questions in advance will help you get right down to business when you do eventually meet with your estate planning lawyer.
Are you ready to get started? Grab a pen, paper, your iPad…whatever you use to take notes and start writing down your answers to the following:
- What assets do you own, and what is their approximate value?
- Who do you want to inherit these assets? Are they people or individuals? And when do you want them to inherit your assets?
- If you become incapacitated, who will manage your financial affairs? Who do you want to take over these duties as Executor after you pass?
- Who do you want to care for your minor kids (or grandkids) if something happens to you?
- Do you have any concerns about your heirs’ ability to manage an inheritance?
- What do you want your burial process to be? Do you have any other specific wishes about your final arrangements?
You will already be one step ahead by working through these questions before meeting with an estate planning attorney. These issues need to be considered thoroughly, and your attorney might ask deeper versions of the same question. Your answers will eventually form the foundation of your estate plan and will influence the type of plan your attorney designs. It might also be a good idea to discuss these topics with your loved ones.
If you are interested in taking the next step in creating your estate plan, please call (813) 438-8503 to speak with a Brandon will lawyer who will assist you and answer all your questions.